Heavy Rain After Winter Of Salting Roads Causing More Potholes

If you have been on the roads the last 24 hours, you’ve noticed potholes developing seemingly right under your wheels.

Clay County Road Supervisor Jason Browning said this time of year it is inevitable. This week’s rain after periodic salting causes potholes to form more quickly.

“The water gets down under there and kind of loosens everything up,” Browning said. “It’s really bad if it freezes. It pushes it out. When the vehicle hits it, it just keep getting bigger and bigger.”

Browning said salt is good for the snow but bad for the roads. Browning said the material breaks the oil down allowing water to creep into the cracks.

“We go around the county trying to fill them up,” Browning said. “But nine out of 10 of them the cold mix is not going to stay because it is so wet. It’s just a never ending battle.”

Browning said his department will continue temporary patches until late spring. Browning said once May comes and asphalt plants reopen, crews will make more permanent repairs.